What would the Cornish clubs say if half the Devon sides decided to pull out of the Devon/Cornwall league and play in a Devon Merit table.

Makes perfect sense then the CRFU could then add 2nd teams to the Cornwall Leagues and the top team could be promoted to Western Counties West (providing they were a 1st team). You would get a similar standard of competition with minimal travelling.

I've been promoting this idea for years but if falls on deaf ears unfortunately.

As someone also involved in Cornish rugby (at a Level 8 club), I would say that 2nd XV rugby is in serious trouble in Cornwall - maybe not quite as serious as Colts Rugby - but only a handful of teams perhaps, three or four fulfil their fixtures regularly in the 2nd XV division in Cornwall and walkovers are also a major issue in the Cornwall One and Two at Level Nine and Ten. Meetings were held about a month ago where the stark issues were laid out, so I think it'd be less easy that that, Redted, although I do see where you are coming from.

What would the Cornish clubs say if half the Devon sides decided to pull out of the Devon/Cornwall league and play in a Devon Merit table.

Makes perfect sense then the CRFU could then add 2nd teams to the Cornwall Leagues and the top team could be promoted to Western Counties West (providing they were a 1st team). You would get a similar standard of competition with minimal travelling.

I've been promoting this idea for years but if falls on deaf ears unfortunately.

As someone also involved in Cornish rugby (at a Level 8 club), I would say that 2nd XV rugby is in serious trouble in Cornwall - maybe not quite as serious as Colts Rugby - but only a handful of teams perhaps, three or four fulfil their fixtures regularly in the 2nd XV division in Cornwall and walkovers are also a major issue in the Cornwall One and Two at Level Nine and Ten. Meetings were held about a month ago where the stark issues were laid out, so I think it'd be less easy that that, Redted, although I do see where you are coming from.

What is the cause of this (presumed) lack of players in Cornwall?

With regards to Colts in Cornwall, I do see that they reached the final of the National U20 competition last week.. Hammered by Yorkshire, but they did get to the final.

Main problem (for rugby) in Cornwall is that we bordered by water on three sides and the county is around 90 miles long. Most other places you can travel in all directions we only have 1.

So the County needs the best possible structure for the teams within it's boundary's. To my mind that means all playing all as we used to do before leagues, local competition was strong and playing numbers were high. As Surrey Ben says 2nd team rugby is very poor as the teams have few teams to play within a sensible travelling distance, if you travel to Devon and play the Devon teams always renege on the return fixture.

So I would dismantle the Cornwall & Devon league, putting the teams into their respective county divisions. I would then incorporate the 2nd teams into the county league structure this would provide more matches for the 2nd teams, less miss-matches as we could have 3 divisions instead of 2.

Top 1st team to Western Counties if they wish to be promoted.

This would also revive 2nd team fixtures against the local junior clubs, a welcome return to tradition.

I certainly see where you are coming from Redted - definitely - the query I have is just how realistic this would be in terms of so few clubs having enough players. Several teams in Cornwall One and Two struggle to put out fifteen players each week. Realistically its only Camborne, Launceston and St. Austell who regularly field a 2nd XV. The issue with Colts rugby is serious - many clubs have totally disbanded their Colts sides. Whilst Cornwall did reach the final of the U20s County Championship, the issue is that players are leaving rugby after U16s in large numbers, potentially because of going upcountry for college/university and then become involved out of Cornwall with the game. Clubs in Cornwall One and Two are considering how sustainable their futures are right now. The CRFU also blocked Camborne's 2nd XV from joining the Cornwall Leagues (Level 9/10) a couple of years ago as well, so that would also have to be overcome.

I think you all forget, being involved in the National leagues, just how badly clubs are being affected lower down. Saying that, I find it interesting that every year another national club seemingly goes bust; perhaps never to return.

Lancashire have made a brave call and I think other counties may well follow suit. Changes need to happen below the National league structure and this could be the catalyst.

Cumbria is not quite s cut off as Corrnwall - they could perhaps go East.However half the men swing the other way - by which of course I mean league.So Millom with an oficial population of 4000 has a RU club, formed 1873, with two senior sides and a RL club - suspiciously climing to be formed the same year - with 2 XIIIs. Not sure if they run to a soccer club.

Whitehave, a metropolis at 23k population has two union clubs and three league clubs.

I wonder if the RFU had dropped the restriction of only two leagues feeding into one and had separate Cumbrian, Lancashire and Cheshire leagues whether it would have stopped the winging.

Not sure where Manx teams fit. I am told you can see Ramsey from Whitehaven - though it tends to be lost in the haze when I visit the in-law. The ferry is from Heysham and takes too long for a day trip. Flights are from Manchester, so Cheshire may make most sense.

Already hearing clubs are appealing the level transfers. Don't think these league fixtures will be out soon if clubs still have time to move/transfer from SLC will they stay in 8 team leagues? Clubs, reading on Twitter, still have until 8th June to join Lancashire Leagues....Interesting times for Grassroots rugby and big shame blocks are not playing week in week out Saturday afternoon any more...Enjoy the summer

I wonder if the RFU had dropped the restriction of only two leagues feeding into one and had separate Cumbrian, Lancashire and Cheshire leagues whether it would have stopped the winging.

Not sure where Manx teams fit. I am told you can see Ramsey from Whitehaven - though it tends to be lost in the haze when I visit the in-law. The ferry is from Heysham and takes too long for a day trip. Flights are from Manchester, so Cheshire may make most sense.

Historically the Manx team have played in the South Lancs/Cheshire league and for most teams in those leagues it is an away trip that they always look forward to. It must be a struggle for the Manx team when they have a cross-sea trip every other game. I know Douglas used to have quite a difference between their home and away results but over the last few years they have become a very strong outfit.

For what it's worth, I don't understand the decision of clubs involved. They've struck off a couple of mid distance away games & possibly a visit to IOM. Most other games were already "local". Another of the reasons stated was the un level playing field, yet every club has that to deal with & at level 7,8 & 9 there can't be much difference in abilities, if there's one team striving for promotion then so be it, let them go. What happens if one or more of these teams in the future regains an appetite (£££) for a higher level of competition???

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